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Hyperthermia as a Treatment for Cancer
Hyperthermia is not widely avlable treatment but certn centers use it together with other therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, especially in advanced cancer stages. The purpose of hyperthermia involves using body heat to damage and kill cancer cells while minimizing harm to normal tissues.
Different heating methods can be employed during this procedure:
Microwaves
Radio waves radiofrequency
Laser beams
Ultrasound
Heating fluids like blood or chemotherapy drugs, administered directly into the body perfusion
Whole-body immersion in heated chambers or water baths wrapped with heated blankets
The treatment options for hyperthermia cover a range including localized treatments for specific cancers and whole-body therapies.
Localized Treatments: These are med at specific sites of cancerous growth. Devices that deliver heat to targeted areas rse the body temperature locally, which helps enhance the effectiveness of other cancer therapies like chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Whole-Body Therapies: These involve elevating your entire body's temperature by using chambers or hot water blankets for short durations to treat cancers that have spread throughout the body.
When used in conjunction with other treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, hyperthermia has shown potential benefits of enhancing treatment outcomes. However, it faces challenges including limited avlability due to requiring specialized equipment and expertise.
Commonly, healthy tissues sustn minimal damage if the temperature remns below 107°F 42°C but certn types can still cause burns or discomfort. For treatments that involve removing blood for heating purposes, risks such as swelling, clotting issues, bleeding, and tissue damages occur but typically improve after treatment.
After whole-body hyperthermia, common side effects might include diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting while more serious complications like heart or blood vessel problems are rare.
Where to Find Hyperthermia
Only a few hospitals and cancer centers across the country have the resources for performing hyperthermia. Talk to your doctor about avlable treatment options in your area or search online for facilities that offer this service.
Future Research
Researchers continue studying hyperthermia's efficacy with different cancers, particularly when pred with other therapies. Some trials are focused on improving delivery methods for more efficient heating of tumors. If you're interested in participating in these studies, visit clinical trial databases to explore opportunities.
The article covers the basics and limitations of hyperthermia as a cancer treatment option, highlighting its potential benefits and challenges compared to traditional cancer therapies.
Cite: National Cancer Institute. 2021. Hyperthermia to Treat Cancer Website.
: This content is provided for informational purposes only; no medical advice or diagnosis should be inferred from it.
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